Tags
Animalia, Biology, birds, Erica, Flora and Fauna, fynbos, Orange breasted Sunbird, South Africa, Species
Every early Summer these little Orange Breasted Sunbirds come down from the Mountain to find easier foraging in suburban gardens.
Obviously due to its restricted range within fynbos this sunbird is associated with Ericas, from which it takes nectar, insects (often taken in flight) and spiders. It breeds when the heath flowers, typically in May. The male defends its territory aggressively, attacking and chasing intruders.
This tame species is a common breeder across its limited range, and is an altitudinal migrant, moving to higher altitudes during the southern summer in search of flowers. It is gregarious when not breeding, forming flocks of up to 100 birds.
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aristonorganic 
Cute are they not. I dot know if it is my imagination, but we seem to see less of them this year in my neck of the woods.
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They are more than cute 🙂 I have not noticed a decrease in numbers here at all. Wonder what is affecting them in your neck of the woods/
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